Mississippi is home to more than 220,000 veterans — a proud military state anchored by Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Columbus Air Force Base, and Camp Shelby, one of the nation's largest National Guard training installations. The Magnolia State offers a strong portfolio of veterans benefits that reward service with real financial relief: a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans, complete exemption of all military retirement pay from state income tax, free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans, employment preference points on civil service exams, and comprehensive services through the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board. This guide covers every major Mississippi veterans benefit available in 2025 and how to claim each one.
Mississippi's military communities are concentrated along the Gulf Coast and throughout the central and northern parts of the state. Keesler AFB in Biloxi is a major training hub for the Air Force, while Columbus AFB hosts undergraduate pilot training. Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg is one of the nation's premier National Guard and Reserve training centers, activated during major military deployments including both Gulf Wars and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This deep military tradition has shaped a state legislature willing to provide meaningful financial benefits for those who served.
Mississippi's benefit structure is particularly strong in two areas that matter most to veterans: property taxes and income taxes. A 100% service-connected veteran in Mississippi pays no property tax on their homestead and no state income tax on military retirement pay — a combination that translates to thousands of dollars in annual savings.
Mississippi's property tax exemption for disabled veterans is one of the most straightforward and valuable benefits the state offers. Under Mississippi law, veterans who have a 100% service-connected VA disability rating receive a complete exemption from ad valorem (property) taxes on their homestead property.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| VA disability rating | 100% service-connected disability (or TDIU with 100% combined rating) |
| Property type | Homestead — primary residence only |
| Exemption amount | Full ad valorem tax exemption on the homestead |
| Surviving spouse eligible? | Yes — surviving spouses continue the exemption |
| Mississippi Code | Miss. Code Ann. § 27-33-75 |
| Where to apply | County Tax Assessor's office |
The ad valorem tax exemption applies to the full assessed value of the homestead. There is no cap or dollar limit — the entire property tax bill on the primary residence is eliminated. For veterans living in the Jackson metro area, the Gulf Coast, or other markets where property values and tax rates are higher, this exemption can represent several thousand dollars per year in savings.
Ad valorem is Latin for "according to value." Mississippi's ad valorem tax is the local property tax assessed annually by county tax assessors based on the assessed value of real property. For most Mississippi homeowners, this is their largest annual tax obligation after income taxes. A full exemption means a 100% SC disabled veteran pays $0 in property taxes on their home.
If a 100% service-connected veteran who was receiving the homestead exemption passes away, the surviving spouse may continue to receive the exemption. The surviving spouse must continue to occupy the property as their primary residence and must not remarry. This protection ensures that surviving family members are not forced to sell their homes due to property tax obligations following the veteran's death.
To claim the Mississippi ad valorem homestead exemption for disabled veterans, visit your county tax assessor's office and bring:
Mississippi homestead exemption applications are typically filed between January 1 and April 1 of the tax year. Contact your county assessor for current deadlines and any county-specific requirements. The exemption under Miss. Code § 27-33-75 is renewable and should be reconfirmed if your VA rating or homestead status changes.
Even veterans with lower disability ratings may qualify for partial homestead benefits through the standard Mississippi homestead exemption program. And veterans who believe their conditions warrant a higher rating should consider filing for an increase — moving from 90% to 100% (or qualifying for TDIU) unlocks the full ad valorem exemption. Use claim.vet's disability calculator to estimate your combined rating.
Mississippi fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax. This is an across-the-board exemption with no cap or phase-in — 100% of military retirement income received by Mississippi residents is excluded from state taxable income.
Mississippi's state income tax rate is 5% for income over $10,000. For a military retiree receiving $40,000 per year in retirement pay, this exemption saves $2,000 per year in state income taxes. Senior officers or long-career enlisted personnel receiving higher retirement amounts save proportionally more.
This exemption applies to all components of military retirement pay — including:
VA disability compensation is separately exempt from both federal and state income taxes under federal law. Combined with Mississippi's military retirement exemption, a retired Mississippi veteran with VA disability compensation pays no state income tax on either income stream. This dual exemption makes Mississippi an especially tax-friendly state for military retirees.
Unlike states that exempt only a portion of military retirement pay or phase in exemptions over several years, Mississippi's exemption is immediate and complete. There is no dollar cap and no waiting period. If you retired from military service and moved to Mississippi, your retirement pay is fully exempt from day one.
Mississippi veterans and their dependents have access to several state-funded education programs, with additional resources available through Guard-specific and institution-level veteran services.
Active Mississippi National Guard members who are enrolled in undergraduate programs at Mississippi public colleges and universities may qualify for the Mississippi National Guard Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance covering tuition costs at eligible state institutions. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain in good standing with their Guard unit. The scholarship is administered through the Mississippi Military Department and is distinct from federal GI Bill and ROTC programs.
The Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship program Miss. Code § 37-106-1 et seq. was originally designed for law enforcement and firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty, but it extends to certain veterans and their dependents in qualifying circumstances. Children of eligible veterans may receive free tuition at Mississippi state colleges and universities. Families should contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid to determine current eligibility criteria for veteran-related applications.
Several Mississippi institutions have earned recognition for their veteran support services:
Mississippi veterans qualify for the full range of federal VA education benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31), and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35). Mississippi's in-state tuition rates at public institutions make GI Bill benefits stretch further than in higher-cost states.
The Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board serves as the state's primary veterans services agency, coordinating benefits access, veterans housing, cemeteries, and advocacy programs across Mississippi.
MSVAB maintains accredited Veterans Service Officers throughout Mississippi who provide free assistance with VA disability claims, benefits navigation, and appeals. VSOs work in coordination with county veteran service organizations and national VSO partners including the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and AMVETS. To locate your nearest MSVAB VSO, contact MSVAB directly or visit your county courthouse, where many VSOs maintain office hours.
The Mississippi Veterans Home Purchase Board (VHPB) provides mortgage assistance to eligible Mississippi veterans through state-funded home loan programs. The VHPB can help veterans access below-market interest rates, down payment assistance, and financing for primary residence purchases in Mississippi. Programs are distinct from federal VA home loan guaranty and may stack with VA loan benefits to improve overall financing terms for eligible veterans. Contact MSVAB for current program availability and eligibility requirements.
Mississippi operates four state veterans homes providing long-term care, skilled nursing, and assisted living services for eligible veterans and, in some cases, their spouses:
Admission priority is given to veterans with service-connected conditions and those with greater financial need. All Mississippi Veterans Homes are certified by the VA, which may pay per-diem toward the cost of care for veterans with service-connected conditions. Veterans should apply through MSVAB well in advance, as facilities may have waiting lists.
The Mississippi State Veterans Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi, provides free burial for eligible veterans, their spouses, and qualifying dependents. Services include the grave site, liner, opening and closing of the grave, and a government grave marker or headstone. There is no charge to eligible veterans' families for any of these services. Veterans who wish to pre-enroll should contact MSVAB. The Newton cemetery is in addition to federal national cemetery eligibility; Mississippi veterans may be interred at either the state cemetery or the closest national cemetery based on preference.
Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board: 3466 Highway 80 East, Pearl, MS 39208. Phone: 601-576-4850. The MSVAB can connect veterans with VSOs, home loan programs, veterans home admission, and cemetery pre-enrollment.
Mississippi provides veterans' preference points in state civil service employment to reward military service and help veterans compete for government positions.
Under Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-9-19, veterans receive preference in state civil service examinations:
Veterans preference applies to scored examinations for positions subject to Mississippi State Personnel Board rules. The preference provides a meaningful advantage in competitive hiring and applies to initial appointment decisions. Mississippi state agencies are required to consider veterans preference in their hiring processes.
Mississippi's American Job Centers — operating under the Mississippi Works network — provide priority employment services to veterans, including dedicated veteran employment specialists, résumé assistance, job placement services, and connections to employers participating in veteran hiring initiatives. The state participates in the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program, funding Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists who provide intensive employment services to veterans with significant barriers to employment. Contact your nearest Mississippi Works American Job Center to access these services.
Mississippi provides free annual hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating. This benefit is a practical acknowledgment of veterans' sacrifices and provides access to Mississippi's extensive outdoor recreation resources at no cost.
To obtain the free license, eligible veterans should present their VA rating letter or VA-issued identification confirming 100% service-connected disability at any Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) license issuer. The license covers standard hunting and fishing privileges throughout Mississippi. Additional permits for specific game species (deer, turkey, duck, alligator) may apply but are typically available at reduced cost or free for 100% disabled veterans — confirm current fee schedules with MDWFP.
Veterans with ratings below 100% may still qualify for reduced-fee licenses through general disability programs. Veterans rated at TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) — who are effectively treated as 100% for compensation purposes — should verify eligibility for the free license with MDWFP, as TDIU veterans are generally treated the same as 100% schedular-rated veterans for most state benefit purposes.
Camp Shelby, located near Hattiesburg in Forrest and Perry counties, is one of the largest National Guard training facilities in the continental United States. It serves as a major mobilization center and has been activated for deployments in every major conflict since World War I. Veterans in the Camp Shelby area have access to a dense network of military and veteran resources, including VA healthcare through the Gulf Coast VA Health Care System (Biloxi), National Guard Family Assistance Centers, and veteran service organizations concentrated in the Hattiesburg-Laurel corridor.
Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi serves as both an active-duty installation and a major training hub for Air Force technical schools. The Gulf Coast region around Keesler has one of Mississippi's highest concentrations of veterans, and the Biloxi VA Medical Center — part of the Gulf Coast VA Health Care System — provides comprehensive VA healthcare services including mental health, specialty care, and rehabilitation services. Gulf Coast veterans also benefit from proximity to National Cemetery System facilities.
Mississippi offers certain vehicle registration fee waivers or reductions for disabled veterans. Veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities may qualify for reduced or waived registration fees on personal vehicles. Contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue or your county tax collector for current program details and documentation requirements.
Mississippi offers a variety of specialty license plates for veterans, including disabled veteran plates, Purple Heart plates, combat-specific plates, and branch-of-service plates. Disabled veteran plates may be issued at no charge or reduced fee. Contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue for current plate options and eligibility requirements.
State benefits in Mississippi are significant, but the federal VA disability compensation system remains the largest financial benefit available to most veterans. The combination of federal and state benefits in Mississippi creates a powerful financial foundation for veterans who have pursued their full VA ratings.
Consider a 100% service-connected disabled Mississippi veteran who is also a military retiree:
Beyond these direct financial benefits, a 100% service-connected rating also unlocks Priority Group 1 VA healthcare (no copays), free VA dental care, CHAMPVA healthcare for eligible dependents, and enhanced access to VA community care services.
Many Mississippi veterans are leaving benefits on the table because their VA ratings don't fully reflect their conditions. Common gaps include:
Moving from a 90% combined rating to 100% — or qualifying for TDIU — not only increases monthly compensation but also unlocks Mississippi's full ad valorem tax exemption. The annual financial impact of that threshold crossing can exceed $5,000 in combined state and federal benefit improvements.
claim.vet's state benefits tool shows exactly which Mississippi benefits you qualify for based on your VA rating, discharge status, and location.
View State Benefits →From full property tax exemption to free hunting licenses, Mississippi rewards veterans with higher ratings. claim.vet helps Mississippi veterans build complete, documented claims for every condition they're owed — including secondary conditions and TDIU.
Start Your Claim →